Second half of TDFV has started in the Mediterranean today with Act 5 coastal race in Roses and a young and amateur team scored a victory for the first time. Helvetia Blue by Normandy Elite Team, skippered by 22 years old Guillaume Pirouelle, sailed a perfect race, being in the top boats on the start line, and chosing the right option offshore to increase their lead over the rest of the fleet, to cross the finish line ahead.

« We are so happy », said Pirouelle. « The race had a second start at the bottom mark on the other side of the bay. Then the wind dropped and we found a little gap to sneak in and sail away before the others. We come from dinghy racing and we are usually better in inshore races, so it is satisfying to perform on a coastal course. We had a nice progression since Dunkirk, but our crew will be replaced by another crew from Gruissan to Nice. Tomorrow will be our last day of racing ».

Grandeur Nature Verandas was the second boat on the finish line and skipper Jean-Christophe Mourniac would certainly feel relieved to start the Med with such result after their average performance in Baden. « We have found new dynamics onboard with Corentin Horeau stepping back onboard after two months convalescence following a knee injury… We were twenty boats all together at the same mark on the other side of the Bay and the young crew from Normandy did really well going offshore. Congratulations to them ».

Freeride ski champion Aurélien Ducroz tops another podium on Team Coved (second one since Dunkirk) and seems to be closer and closer from a race victory. But event leader Team Lorina Limonade – Golfe du Morbihan was not so happy with its performance today. They might finish at an honnorable 6th place, it is their worst result so far, as Matthieu Salomon and Quentin Delapierre only scores 1st and 2nd places all through the event. With Credit Mutuel de Bretagne finishing 4th today they only lose two points overall but mentally it could be a hard blow on them as they are entering second half of the event.

International team Oman Airports by Oman Sail will be very pleased with their 5th place today, as it is their best result since Dunkirk and since Thierry Douillard stepped off due to injury. Yesterday British skipper Stevie Morrison was hoping to have strong wind conditions in the Med as « it requires less communication onboard » and it seems that today’s 15-20 knots winds was all thet needed to start performing again and build up confidence for the next few stages.